Winter is a fun season, due partly to all the holiday celebrations. It’s when your family and friends can get together after potentially not seeing one another for a while. Therefore, staying healthy is essential to ensure you never miss an event. Read on How to Stay Healthy at Work Throughout the Winter.
While you may not always be able to avoid sickness, you can do your best to boost your immune system and keep germs at bay — even somewhere totally out of your control, like the workplace. Here are some essential ways to stay healthy at work throughout the winter.
How to Stay Healthy at Work Throughout the Winter
1. Sit Correctly
Sitting correctly at your desk can help improve your posture, saving you from back issues and pain. Practicing good posture during work can help you adhere to that stance during leisure hours. You’ll have the correct posture while exercising, which may also decrease your risk of injury.
Posture may not ward off illnesses, but it can keep your body healthy in other ways, leading to better health overall.
2. Walk Around During Breaks
If you work a desk job, you should cherish your breaks and take them away from your desk. Sitting down for a long time can increase your risk of developing fatal blood clots in your legs, so mitigating your sedentary lifestyle can positively affect your health. You can walk around your office on short breaks to get the blood flowing. On longer ones, you might take a walk outside in nature. Just be sure to bundle up if it’s cold out.
3. Keep Hygienic Products at Your Desk
Keep products that preserve your health at your desk so they’re within eyesight. You might use them more often than if you have them packed away or not at your desk at all. Hand sanitizer can remind you to keep clean after touching several things, and other people in your office may follow your lead.
Tissues can also help — you can use them for sneezing or coughing into instead of relying on your sleeve or arm. Hygienic products can encourage you to keep healthier habits while working.
4. Pack Your Lunch
One of the easiest ways to ensure you get the nutrients you need every day is to bring your lunch from home. You could get sick with a foodborne illness if you eat at restaurants every day, and the food you order may not be as nutritious as you think. Part of healthy living is eating the right food to keep your organs strong and functional so you can live a happy life. Packing doesn’t take that much time, but it can make a big difference in your health.
5. Maintain a Clean Space
Stale office air in the winter can be one of your worst enemies. Bacteria could lurk on any surface, which can be concerning in a shared space like an office.
The simplest thing you can do is wipe down your workspace consistently. Keep disinfectant wipes at your desk to clean the tabletop, keyboard and mouse. While your office likely has a cleaning service, there are some things that can be overlooked, such as a shared stapler or the handles of filing cabinets. Next time you use one of these items, take a wipe with you to give it a quick clean before and after you use it.
6. Wash Your Hands Frequently
You should always be wary about what you touch. Whenever possible, wash your hands well with soap and warm water. Doing so will remove bacteria from your hands before you touch your face or mouth. You should always wash your hands after every trip to the bathroom or before you eat something. Keep your hands away from your face unless you just cleaned them. This way, you can cut down on the potential transmission of any bacteria.
7. Keep a Water Bottle
Drinking the right amount of water is a great way to stay healthy and relieve dehydration. You might think something is wrong when you’re really just thirsty. Most people think they need eight glasses of water a day, but that isn’t always true. You can do a few simple calculations to see how much water you truly need daily, which is influenced by your weight and level of exercise. Find a reusable water bottle to help you work toward that goal and fill it up whenever possible.
8. Cut Out Caffeine
Nearly everyone enjoys a good cup of coffee in the morning. Caffeine can prepare you for the day and wake your brain up, helping you function more effectively. It can be helpful in small amounts, but over a longer period of use, you might see more symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, among other health issues.
Try to cut caffeine out of your life for good and do other things to increase your energy level. Eating well, working out and getting enough sleep can help naturally.
9. Use Stress Management Techniques
Everyone hates having excess stress. Too much can age your immune system and make it less effective at fighting off illnesses. Find out what helps you lower your stress levels and incorporate it into your routine. You might consider taking up yoga or meditation, while others might benefit more from breathwork or journaling their feelings. Once you find what works for you, you’ll be able to keep stress to a minimum.
Stay Healthy All Season Long
Many people get sick in the winter due to the cold weather making them more susceptible to illness. However, you can take several measures to keep yourself healthy, even in areas beyond your control. It might be difficult to avoid sickness in the workplace, but if you boost your immune system, you’ll be better prepared to fight off bacteria and viruses.
